Half-Bodied Spirit Bridegroom

Overview

A forest spirit hears of a beautiful girl who has rejected other suitors and determines to marry her. It borrows fine clothing and half of a head and body to assemble an exceptionally attractive human appearance, then arrives in a hammock carried by four men. She immediately chooses it. Her family supplies cattle, fowls and prepared rice, but the suitor secretly buries the food beside the fireplace because it eats people rather than such provisions. It also mistreats her younger brother, whose skin illness makes him unwelcome, although he persists in accompanying his sister.

As the couple travels home, the borrowed half-head and a foot fall off. The bride repeatedly draws attention to the losses, but the spirit sings that she should leave them behind until all its body remains half-sized. That night it sharpens a large knife to kill and eat her. The brother pretends to sleep but interrupts each attempt with complaints of discomfort or hunger, forcing the spirit to provide bedding and food. Finally he claims that his washing water must first be fetched in a fishing net before being poured into a bowl.

Eager to begin its meal, the predator attempts the impossible errand without recognizing why the water drains out. The boy wakes his sister, explains the danger and leads her away. When the spirit discovers the escape and pursues them, he hears it approaching and hides with her. It passes without finding them, gives up near their town and returns. The sister reports the experience to her family; the closing advice values the accompanying child who was initially rejected. The false husband's attractive borrowed form, discarded parts and frustrated appetite are all steps in a specific deception rather than a general portrait of every forest spirit.

Origins & earliest records

Florence M. Cronise collected tales from children and adult employees of the Rotifunk mission in Sierra Leone. The 1903 preface credits Henry W. Ward with much of the arrangement and narrative setting; its named speakers are not assumed to be independently documented field informants.

Records & interpretation

Complete tale directly read, printed pp. 178-187, including escape and final advice. Preface distinguishes collection from editorial setting.

In the literature

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Cunnie Rabbit, Mr. Spider and the Other Beef

   Florence M. Cronise, collector; Henry W. Ward, arranger · 1903

   Marry the Devil, There's the Devil to Pay; pp. 178-187.

2. 02

   Cunnie Rabbit, Mr. Spider and the Other Beef — Marry the Devil, There’s the Devil to Pay

   Florence M. Cronise, collector; Henry W. Ward, arranger · 1903

   London, Swan Sonnenschein & Co.; New York, E. P. Dutton, 1903, visually verified title page. Selected Project Gutenberg 48828 transcription retains printed page markers and exact tale anchors. Preface pp. v–vi credits Cronise with collection and Ward with arrangement/setting; introduction pp. 1–4 describes Rotifunk mission children and adult employees as sources. Frame speakers are not independently verified individual informants.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Located primary passages

Specific passages supporting details in this entry, grouped by their published witness.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Collected primary narrative with editorial settingMarry the Devil, There's the Devil to PayResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.